Introduction
Whenever we put our faith into action, the action should always be a step forward. This was brought home to me during a training weekend for Adult Assistants by a Year 12 student who led us through her review about one of her Year 12 classes. Her teacher was also the Principal of the school she attended and was often absent from class doing office work related to her role.
After repeated attempts to speak with her teacher about her concern about failing the subject, she wrote to the leader of the religious congregation that owned the school. Her letter produced the desired effect: the Principal removed herself from the class and another teacher was brought in to help the students prepare for their final exam.
Years later, I found myself sitting in a YCS group and listening to a Year 11 student speak about her difficulties at finding suitable clothing in the local shopping centre. She was a big-boned, athletic young woman. The clothing for people her size tended to be placed at the rear of the clothing stores.
With her group’s support, she composed a letter to the store managers and delivered the letters. Her intention was to influence them to bring about change in the layout of their stores. Her action met with swift and encouraging responses. She was able to enter the clothing stores and find clothes to fit her placed closer to the front of each store.
When we act in faith, our actions must always be transformative in intent. Always a step forward, just like Jesus.
The Gospel
Some Pharisees came up to Jesus. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’ He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say: ‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’’ (Luke 13:31-35)
The Enquiry
See
Jesus identifies himself as a prophet in this Gospel passage. What does he say about the role of the prophets in Jewish society?
What do we learn about the impact of the prophets in Israel? Does Jesus expect the same fate?
Why does Jesus choose to ignore the warning given by the Pharisees? Why is the death of the prophets associated with Jerusalem?
Judge
What do you think about Jesus’ prophecy about his fate? And the fate of prophets in Israel?
How does what Jesus says fit with what is happening in your life? In the world? Is what Jesus values also a value for you?
What would be the role of prophets in an ideal world? Like a mother hen?
Act
What does Jesus value above all else, even life itself? What then ought to be the primary value for his followers?
What small action can you carry out that will help to establish Jesus’ primary value as your own and as the primary value in society?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
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